In a compelling reflection on his life’s journey and the future of Nigeria’s medical diagnostics sector, renowned healthcare entrepreneur, Dr. Everest Okpara, has opened up about his personal mission to revolutionize the country’s healthcare landscape.
Speaking in a recent interview, Dr. Okpara, Chairman and CEO of Everight Diagnostic & Laboratory Services Ltd, recounted how his humble beginnings in Isiekenesi, Ideato South LGA of Imo State, laid the foundation for his values of discipline, hard work, and compassion. Raised helping his mother run a catering business and cycling to local markets to deliver goods, the young Everest learned first-hand the virtues that now shape his leadership style.
“It was more than survival,” Dr. Okpara shared. “Those early days gave me clarity, endurance, and a deep love for people. Today, we’re building a healthier Nigeria through innovation and integrity.”
A graduate of Lagos State University with further training from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Lagos Business School, and Charisma University, USA, Dr. Okpara’s turning point came with a tragic personal experience—the misdiagnosis and loss of his grandmother. That moment spurred his decision to dive deep into global diagnostic best practices, traveling across Europe and America to study advanced systems.
He returned to Nigeria determined to bridge the gap. In 2005, he founded Everight Diagnostic & Laboratory Services Ltd, which has since grown into a multi-branch medical diagnostics powerhouse with locations in Abuja, Lagos, and Owerri. The Abuja center, located in Wuse II, is particularly renowned for its excellence and serves as a hub for medical tourism.
Under his leadership, Everight became one of the first private labs approved to conduct COVID-19 PCR testing in Nigeria and has since earned prestigious ISO 15189-2012 and 15189-2022 accreditations. In 2018, he expanded his innovation frontier by founding Sangtech Technologies Nigeria Ltd, a health-tech firm providing digital lab solutions including PACS and Laboratory Information Systems.
Beyond diagnostics, Dr. Okpara’s passion extends to healthcare equity. Through the Everight Healthcare Foundation, he champions access for underserved communities, ensuring quality diagnostics reach those who need it most.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Okpara received an award of appreciation from Gulf Medical University in the UAE on February 1, 2025, and was invited to speak at the UK International Health Summit in Liverpool on February 14, 2025.
Today, his name is etched among Nigeria’s most impactful health sector reformers. From fetching firewood in rural farmlands to leading a globally recognized diagnostics brand, Dr. Okpara’s story is a powerful reminder of the heights reachable through grit, vision, and service.